Belen, NM vs Sunland Park, NM

Belen, NM and Sunland Park, NM have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.8% difference in their overall index. Belen scores 72 while Sunland Park scores 71 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Belen is $877/month compared to $770/month in Sunland Park — a 14% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Sunland Park has cheaper rent, Belen actually has lower median home values ($154,600 vs $194,900).

Median household income in Belen is $40,354 compared to $52,147 in Sunland Park (-22.6%). Sunland Park offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Belen spend roughly 26.1% of their income on rent, more than the 17.7% in Sunland Park.